THE ADVOCATE 67
VOL. 80 PART 1 JANUARY 2022
THE WINE
COLUMN
By Michael Welsh, Q.C.*
There are many spokes on the wheel of life.
First, we’re here to explore new possibilities.
—Ray Charles
THE WHEEL OF WINE
The exercise of tasting wine and describing your impressions seems intimidating
when you haven’t tried it. Once tried, it gets progressively easier.
The only reason you do it is to enjoy the wine more, and no matter what
you decide you smell and taste, you are never wrong. What each person gets
from a wine is completely personal and all opinions and impressions are
equally valid. The hardest part is learning to identify what you smell and
taste. Remember that it is not important to be able to list a multitude of
flavours and aromas, although with practice this comes. The important
thing is to open your senses and simply enjoy the wine. The most enjoyable
way is by sharing the experience. Compare your impressions with those of
your spouse, companion or friend. You will be surprised what others smell
and taste and how you will agree those other impressions are correct even
when you experienced something different. You won’t look foolish (unless,
like Basil Fawlty of Fawlty Towers, you are a host who pretends to know
more than you do: “I can certainly see that you know your wine. Most of the
guests who stay here wouldn’t know the difference between Bordeaux and
Claret.” If you don’t get this, Google “claret”.)
* Michael Welsh, Q.C., is a bencher, although he does not write or drink in that capacity. His views expressed here are
entirely his own. Both the author and the Advocate endorse healthy and responsible attitudes towards alcohol.